ChatGPT for macOS now compatible with Apple Notes and other apps

OpenAI has expanded ChatGPT's capabilities on macOS, adding support for popular note-taking and coding apps like Apple Notes and VSCode. This new feature lets users get real-time assistance directly within their favourite apps, enhancing productivity and workflow.

In Short

• ChatGPT can now work with approximately 30 macOS apps
• The list of apps includes Apple Notes, BBEdit, VSCode Insiders, and more
• Currently, this feature is available only to paid subscribers of ChatGPT

OpenAI has introduced a new update for the ChatGPT app on macOS. On Thursday, the company announced that its popular AI chatbot now works with several note-taking and coding applications. This new feature, described by OpenAI as agentic, allows ChatGPT to access on-screen information in these supported apps and assist users with their queries in real time. Currently, this feature is available only to paid subscribers of ChatGPT, including those on the Plus, Pro, Teams, Enterprise, and Edu plans. However, OpenAI has reassured users on the free tier and Windows users that they won’t be left behind for long. The update will roll out to them sometime next year.

OpenAI revealed this update as part of its 12-day shipping event, where the company has been releasing new features and improvements for its platforms daily. The announcement was made on day 11 through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Kevin Weil, the Chief Product Officer at OpenAI, shared additional details about the feature, emphasising that ChatGPT can now work with approximately 30 macOS apps. The supported ones include Apple Notes, BBEdit, VSCode Insiders, Notion, Quip, and more specialised coding apps like MatLab, IntelliJ IDEA, and PyCharm.

So, whether you’re jotting down ideas in a note-taking app or debugging code in a developer tool, ChatGPT can now assist without users needing to switch between applications. Here’s how it works — once the feature is activated, users can open any supported app and use the shortcut Option + Space. This opens a compact ChatGPT window that appears over the app. The AI can then see the same information the user sees on the screen. From there, users can interact with ChatGPT by typing queries or using the Advanced Voice Mode. For example, if a user highlights a specific section of text or code in the app, they can ask ChatGPT for help by using natural language commands like “how can I improve this?” or “what does this code do?” The chatbot understands the context and responds accordingly. This makes it easier for users to get real-time feedback or explanations without disrupting their workflow.

While OpenAI calls this feature “agentic,” the technology behind it is more vision-based. ChatGPT doesn’t actually interact with the apps themselves — it can’t write new text, edit code, or make changes to any existing content. Its role is purely advisory, based on what it sees on the screen.

Privacy has been a top concern for OpenAI with this update. Users will have full control over when and which apps ChatGPT can access. OpenAI has also assured users that the data collected during these interactions will be handled just like any other data in their conversation history.